What is the primary purpose of error handling in coding?

The primary purpose of error handling in coding is to manage and respond to runtime errors gracefully. This involves anticipating potential issues that may arise during the execution of a program, such as invalid user input, resource unavailability, or unexpected data values. By implementing error handling, developers can ensure that the program behaves in a controlled manner when an error occurs, which might include displaying user-friendly error messages, logging the error for later analysis, or allowing the program to continue running rather than crashing entirely.

Effective error handling contributes to a better user experience, as it prevents abrupt terminations and provides insights into what went wrong. This not only helps in maintaining the stability and reliability of the software but also aids in debugging, as developers can collect information about errors that occur.

While optimizing code performance, documenting code functions, and facilitating user input are important aspects of software development, they do not directly relate to the core purpose of error handling. Error handling is specifically focused on the management of errors that occur during program execution, making it essential for robust and user-friendly applications.